Podcast Summary: Book Talk, etc. - Episode: "Best Books We’ve Read This Year… So Far"
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Hosts:
- Tina (@tbretc) from TBR Etc
- Hannah (@hanpickedbooks) from Hand Picked Books
Introduction
In this engaging episode of Book Talk, etc., hosts Tina and Hannah dive into their favorite books of 2025 so far, sharing insights, personal anecdotes, and heartfelt recommendations. The conversation is rich with literary analysis, personal reflections, and a touch of humor, making it a delightful listen for book enthusiasts looking to expand their TBR (To Be Read) lists.
Favorite Book Discussion: King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
The episode centers around their joint favorite book of the year, "King of Ashes" by S.A. Cosby. Both hosts express profound admiration for Cosby's storytelling and character development.
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Synopsis Overview:
"King of Ashes" follows Roman Carruthers, a financial whiz who returns home after his father's car accident to find his family in distress. His younger brother, Dante, is indebted to dangerous criminals, and their sister, Nevaeh, is overwhelmed by maintaining the family crematorium business. The story intertwines financial intrigue with deep family dynamics against the backdrop of a rundown Virginian town. -
Hosts' Insights:
- Hannah (16:34): Shares her initial reservations and how the latter part of the book surpassed her expectations, highlighting the book's slow-burn nature and complex character arcs.
- Tina (17:16): Emphasizes Cosby’s strength in characterization, noting how Roman’s background as a money manager adds depth to his efforts to save his family.
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Notable Quote:
Hannah (16:37): "The last two episodes happen, and it is incredibly unexpected. It's something that even the producers didn't expect." [16:37]
Reading Statistics and Goals
Tina and Hannah share their personal reading statistics and goals for the year, providing inspiration and relatable experiences for listeners.
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Tina's Stats:
- Books Read: 78
- Reading Goal: Increased from 125 to 150 books per year
- Current Status: Ahead by five books
- Genres: Thrillers, literary fiction, mystery
Tina (26:27): "I've read 78 books so far this year. If I'm feeling burnt out, I'll adjust, but for now, I'm riding the wave." [26:27]
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Hannah's Stats:
- Books Read: 47
- Reading Goal: 100 books
- Current Status: On track, nearing halfway
- Genres: Fantasy, horror, historical fiction
Hannah (27:12): "My goal is to read 100 books this year, and I have read 47. We're a few days away from the exact halfway point." [27:12]
Book Recommendations
The hosts share a curated list of their top five favorite books of the year, along with honorable mentions that nearly made the cut.
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"Favorites" by Lane Fargo
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Highlights: A gripping story of ice dancers with rich character development and a compelling narrative.
Tina (45:37): "I loved the story of these two ice dancers. The audio really brings it to life." [45:37]
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"Sandwich" by Kathryn Newman
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Highlights: A multi-generational vacation narrative exploring family dynamics and personal reflections.
Hannah (46:51): "Reading it during a vulnerable family moment made it an actual core memory of my reading life." [46:51]
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"Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Genre: Romantic Fiction/Sci-Fi
- Highlights: A heartfelt love story intertwined with space exploration, balancing science and romance seamlessly.
Hannah (49:14): "I just vibed. I felt like I read this as a fan and loved it." [49:14]
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"Happy Land" by Dolan Perkins Valdez
- Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
- Highlights: Set in North Carolina, it delves into black history and real estate issues post-enslavement, wrapped in a mystery.
Hannah (51:22): "It talks about a unique part of black history in America that I hadn't heard before." [51:22]
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"Broken Country" by Claire Leslie Hall
- Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
- Highlights: A love triangle set against farming life, rich in character development and pacing.
Tina (57:01): "It's a love triangle with great pacing and historical depth." [57:01]
Honorable Mentions:
- "Red Clay" by Charles B. Fancher
- "Nothing to See Here" by Kevin Wilson
- "War That Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
- "Tell Me What You Did" by Carter Wilson
- "When the Wolf Comes Home" by Nat Cassidy
- "Rainbow Black" by Maggie Thrash
- "The Night and the Moth" by Rachel Gillig
- "The Names" by Florence Knapp
Audiobooks Discussion
The hosts discuss their favorite audiobooks of the year, highlighting narration quality and the immersive experience.
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Tina's Top Pick:
"The Favorites" by Lane Fargo- Narrator: Johnny Weir
- Highlights: Engaging narration that brings the story’s drama and pageantry to life.
Tina (41:07): "Johnny Weir... the audiobooks really bring it to life." [41:07]
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Hannah's Top Pick:
"Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaughey- Narrators: Full cast, including Saskia Marleveld
- Highlights: Rich, deep voices with perfect inflection without being overly dramatized.
Hannah (42:42): "Saskia Marleveld did an excellent job with her narration." [42:42]
Superlatives
The hosts award various superlatives to their favorite books, adding a fun and personal touch to their recommendations.
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Most Original:
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Tina: "We Live Here Now" by Sarah Pinborough
Tina (43:58): "I just love the ending. It gives me a smile every time." [43:58]
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Hannah: "The Names" by Florence Knapp
Hannah (63:39): "A single choice impacting your life with three different timelines." [63:39]
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Biggest Surprise:
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Tina: "Audition" by Katie Kitamura
Tina (37:10): "It got me out of a reading slump." [37:10]
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Hannah: "The Secret History of the Rape: A True Crime Story" by Pagan Kennedy
Hannah (39:32): "Made me realize that some subject matters I wouldn't normally pick up could work for me." [39:32]
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Biggest Disappointment:
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Tina: "The Float Test" by Lynn Stieglerstrong
Tina (40:44): "I wish I had DNF'd it; it was not fun." [40:44]
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Hannah: "You'll Remember Me" by Abby Jimenez
Hannah (39:48): "I actively didn't like this one. That was so disappointing." [39:48]
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Best Audiobook:
- Tina: "The Favorites" by Lane Fargo
- Hannah: "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaughey
Closing Remarks
Tina and Hannah wrap up the episode by emphasizing the importance of a structured yet flexible TBR list, encouraging listeners to prioritize genres that resonate with them while allowing for mood-based reading. They also tease future episodes, including potential live reading and annotating sessions, and invite listeners to join their Patreon for exclusive content.
Tina (67:01): "We need to prioritize that together. Maybe we have a working meeting… where the working is just annotating our books together." [67:01]
Notable Quotes
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Hannah:
"I can yodel. That's a fun fact. I'll have to do that for the podcast sometime." [00:00]
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Tina:
"This is a conversational podcast about books and more from two Midwest Mood readers who are easily distracted by new releases." [00:31]
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Hannah:
"I really love reading, and I love that feeling." [55:17]
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Tina:
"If it’s not broke, don’t fix it." [34:50]
Connect with the Hosts:
- Email: us@booktalketc.com
- Instagram: @booktoketc
- YouTube: @booktoketc
- Patreon: patreon.com/booktalketc
Remember, everything's better with books!